Vol. 127 (2014): Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society
Posters

Environmental horticulture container growers learn irrigation practices through extension BMP education

S. Steed
UF/IFAS
E. V. Campoverde
UF/IFAS
E. Skvarch
UF/IFAS
T. Yeager
UF/IFAS
2014 Proceedings Florida State Horticultural Society Volume 127

Published 2018-03-15

Abstract

A team of state and county University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension faculty with expertise in irrigation water quality and conservation was formed to assist environmental horticulture container nursery growers with irrigation practices. Conservation and protection of Florida’s water resources are vital to the future of container nursery and greenhouse production. Container plants are grown in small volumes of soilless substrates in which the water is usually replenished daily. Consequently, large amounts of water are frequently applied, often with low application efficiency. The objective of this team was to transfer information and technology about water conservation and water quality impacts on plant production to producers. The Water Team worked with educational partners such as Water Management Districts, county agencies, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Mobile Irrigation Lab, South Dade Soil & Water Conservation District Mobile Irrigation Lab, UF/IFAS Best Management Practices (BMP) Implementation Team and Florida Nursery Growers and Landscape Association (FNGLA) members.